Electrical component and method for controlling an electrical component

ABSTRACT

An electrical component having a core and a first and second coil positioned around the core is controlled in such a manner, that in response to the second coil being switched off, the first coil is short-circuited via a quenching circuit to quench the inductive load of the second coil.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the area of electronic components having inductive loads, such as electromagnets, relays or transformers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Such electrical components have windings that are situated on cores. An example of a very high inductive load is the switching and engaging relay of a starter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

In that regard, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a conventional electrical component 11. Component 11 has a coil L₂, R₂, which is positioned around a core 12. Presently, for reasons of clarity and of congruence of the figures with the subsequent equations, many of the components shown in the figures are referred to by their characteristic values. For example, coil L₂, R₂ is referred to by its inductance L₂ and its resistance R₂.

In addition, electrical component 11 has a switch S₂ for connecting coil L₂, R₂. Upon switching off coil L₂, R₂ with the aid of switch S₂, a switch voltage U_(S2) at switch S₂ decreases. If, as in FIG. 1, no measures are taken to quench the inductive load of coil L₂, R₂ during the switching-off, then, in response to the switching-off, potential U_(S2) decreases to the point where either an electric arc or an avalanche breakdown occurs there.

As a circuit diagram equivalent to this, FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second example of the electrical component 21. As in FIG. 1, electrical component 21 has a coil L₂, R₂ around core 22, as well as a switch S₂. In FIG. 2, a Zener diode D_(av) is drawn to illustrate the effect of the arc or the avalanche breakdown explained with reference to FIG. 1. In addition, reference character P_(V) in FIG. 2 shows the disruptive discharge power in response to switching off switch S₂. The effect of the breakdown is normally very harmful to switching component 21 and may result in its destruction. Protective circuits are provided for this reason.

To this end, FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a third example of a conventional electrical component 31. Electrical component 31 is constructed like electrical components 11 and 21 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and has, accordingly, a coil L₂, R₂ around a core 32, as well as a switch S₂. In this context, electrical component 31 also has the Zener diode D_(av) described using FIG. 2. One form of a protective circuit is the free-wheeling diode 33 illustrated in FIG. 3. To increase the quenching voltage, this free-wheeling diode 33 is also connected in series to a Zener diode D_(loesch). The higher the Zener voltage, the more rapidly the energy of the inductive load may be removed. However, the sum of the decrease in the diode voltage and the Zener voltage must be less than the breakdown voltage of switch S₂, or else the destruction of component 31 is likely.

In addition, in the case of high amounts of energy and a short switching-off time, components such as relays, electromagnets or transformers have to be able to withstand very high power losses. This becomes especially critical when frequent switching operations occur. An example of frequently occurring switching operations is clocked or regulated activation of the electrical component.

Such regulated or current-regulated activation with the aid of two-step control or pulse-width modulation is used, for example, when a high drawing-in current, e.g., upon drawing in a magnet, or a high starting current, should initially flow, which should later be decreased, e.g., for holding a magnet. In the case of switching-on, a switch is completely switched through, whereas in the case of holding, alternating switching operations take place. A further, conventional option for performing such an action is division into a closing coil and a hold-in coil. To that end, FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a conventional electrical component 41. In this context, electrical component 41 has two coils L₁, R₁ and L₂, R₂, which are wound on a common core 42. A first switch S₁ is provided for connecting first coil L₁, R₁. Analogously, a second switch S₂ is provided for connecting second coil L₂, R₂. The voltages at switches S₁ and S₂ that decrease during the switching operation are referred to as U_(S1) and U_(S2). For example, first coil L₁, R₁ may be configured as a hold-in coil. Second coil L₂, R₂ may then be configured as a closing coil. In this context, closing coil L₂, R₂ is designed in such a manner, that the required, rapid drawing-in is implemented at currents of closing coil L₂, R₂ that are typically relatively high. Subsequently, a switchover may be made to hold-in coil L₁, R₂, which has a markedly lower power requirement (R₁>>R₂). A component such as in FIG. 4 is known, for example, from conventional starter relays.

In addition, capacitors are used as rapid quenching elements or storage elements. Therefore, on one hand, the energy may be removed rapidly from the magnetic circuit, and on the other hand, energy for boosting may be made available for a short response time during closing.

Since, in certain cases, inductive loads may store very high amounts of energy, e.g., up into the range of 1 Joule for starter relays, the degree of complexity and the cost of protective circuits may become relatively high.

SUMMARY

The present invention is based on the recognition that the inductive load of an operating coil occurring while switching off may be quenched simply and cost-effectively by a quenching circuit having an additional coil. In this context, the additional coil or quenching coil is situated or wound on the same core as the operating coil, in particular, a ferromagnetic core.

The time of switching off the operating coil triggers the closing of the quenching circuit and, consequently, the activation of the quenching coil for quenching the inductive load of the operating coil.

Accordingly, an example electronic component is provided which has a core, a first coil and a second coil. In this context, both the first coil and the second coil are positioned, in particular, wound, around the core. The second coil may be switched on and off with the aid of a switch. When the second coil is switched off with the aid of the switch, the first coil is short-circuited via a quenching circuit to quench the inductive load of the second coil. Consequently, the first coil acts as a quenching coil for the second coil that is preferably configured as an operating coil of the electrical component.

In addition, an example starter or starter system for a motor vehicle is provided, the starter or starter system having an electrical component as explained above. The starter system may further include a starter motor.

Furthermore, an example method for controlling an electrical component having a core, a first coil positioned around the core, a second coil positioned around the core, and a switch for switching the second coil on and off, is provided, the method including the step of short-circuiting the first coil via a quenching circuit for quenching the inductive load of the second coil in response to the switching-off of the second coil.

According to one preferred further refinement, the second coil is configured as an operating coil of the electrical component. The first coil is configured as a quenching coil for quenching the inductive load of the operating coil. Consequently, the first coil may quench the inductive load of the operating coil (second coil) in a simple and cost-effective manner. Therefore, a further protective circuit to be particularly provided for the component is advantageously not necessary.

According to a further preferred refinement, the quenching circuit is configured as a shorted circuit made up of a series circuit of the first coil and a closing resistor. The first coil has a particular number of windings, a particular inductance, and a particular resistance. The formation of the quenching circuit as a shorted circuit is a very simple circuit-engineering solution for quenching the inductive load of the second coil.

According to a further preferred refinement, the first coil is situated on the common core of the electrical component, in the form of a reactive coil formed separately from the second coil. Consequently, this further refinement of the quenching circuit according to the present invention requires only two additional elements, namely, the quenching coil and the closing resistor.

According to a further preferred refinement, the quenching circuit is configured as a parallel circuit of the first coil and a closing resistor between a further switch for switching the first coil, and ground.

The use of the further switch may advantageously allow the first coil to also be operated as an operating coil. In this context, the first coil is preferably suited for functioning as an operating coil in a closing operation by this further switch.

This further switch is preferably set up to switch in the first coil in response to the switching-off of the second coil by the switch for the second coil.

In the following, the method of functioning of the electrical component of the present invention is explained in detail. In accordance with this explanation and the present patent application, R₁ indicates the resistance of the first coil, L₁ indicates the inductance of the first coil, n₁ indicates the number of windings of the first coil, R₂ indicates the resistance of the second coil, n₂ indicates the number of windings of the second coil, L₂ indicates the inductance of the second coil, R_(K) indicates the closing resistance of the quenching circuit, U_(v) indicates the supply voltage of the electrical component, U_(av) indicates the breakdown voltage of switch S₂ of the second coil, and I₂ indicates the current flowing through resistor R₂ of the second coil L₂, R₂.

In this context, the ratio of resistances R₁, R₂ to numbers of windings n₁, n₂ of the first and second coils is preferably set as a function of the supply voltage V_(v) and breakdown voltage U_(av) of switch S₂ of the second coil, so that breakdown voltage U_(av) is less than a differential voltage between supply voltage V_(v) and the switch voltage U_(S2) decreasing at switch S₂ during the switching operation. The flux Φ in the core remains constant in the short period of time of the switching-off. Accordingly, I₁=0 and I₂≠0 prior to the switching-off: Φ=I ₂ ′*n ₂   (1)

After switching off switch S₂, I₂=0, and therefore: I ₂ ′=I ₂ *n ₂ /n ₁   (2)

In the quenching circuit made up of L₁, R₁+R_(K), current I₁ subsequently decreases with the decaying time constant τ=L₁/(R_(K)+R₁): I ₁(t)=I ₁′*exp(−t/τ)   (3)

The current drain is greatest immediately after the switching-off: L ₁ *d/ ₁ /dt′=−(R _(K) +R ₁)*I ₁′  (4)

In order that all of the energy in the quenching circuit is discharged, the differential voltage between U_(v) and U_(S2) may not exceed the value of breakdown voltage U_(av) (arc voltage or avalanche voltage of switch S₂): U _(v) −U _(S2) <U _(av), where U _(S2) =dΦ/dt˜L ₁ *dI ₁ /dt   (5)

Immediately after the switching-off, equations (4) and (3) yield the following quenching condition: (R _(K) +R ₁)*n ₂ /n ₁>(U _(av) −U _(v))/I ₂ or (R _(K) +R ₁)/R ₂ *n ₂ /n ₁>(U _(av) −U _(v))/U _(v) in view of I _(2,max) =U _(V) /R ₂

According to a further preferred refinement, the electrical component takes the form of an electromagnet, a relay or a transformer. Examples of a relay include the switching relay or engaging relay of a starter of a motor vehicle.

According to a further preferred refinement, the specific switch takes the form of a field effect transistor (FET).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures and explained in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first example of a conventional electrical component.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second example of a conventional electrical component.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a third example of a conventional electrical component.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a fourth example of a conventional electrical component.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of the component according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of the electrical component according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a third exemplary embodiment of the electrical component according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the electrical component according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic circuit diagram equivalent to the electrical component of the present invention shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram equivalent to the electrical component of the present invention shown in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 11, 12 show schematic circuit diagrams equivalent to conventional electrical components.

FIGS. 13-16 show schematic circuit diagrams equivalent to FIGS. 9-12, having inductors additionally drawn in.

FIG. 17 shows a measurement example for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention, to the conventional component of FIG. 12.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a simulation corresponding to FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a simulation example of the disruptive discharge power for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention, to that of the conventional component of FIG. 12.

FIG. 20 shows a simulation example of the disruptive discharge power at the limit of the quenching condition for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention, to that of the conventional component of FIG. 12.

FIG. 21 shows a simulation example of the disruptive discharge power at a greater supply voltage for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention, to that of the conventional component of FIG. 12.

FIG. 22 shows a simulation example of the quenching limit at a greater supply voltage for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention, to that of the conventional component of FIG. 12.

FIG. 23 shows a simulation example of the exceeded quenching limit for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention, to that of the conventional component of FIG. 12.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention for controlling an electrical component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of the electrical component 51 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. Electrical component 51 has a core 52, a first coil L₁, R₁ positioned around core 52, and a second coil L₂, R₂ positioned around the core. Second coil L₂, R₂ may be switched on and off with the aid of a switch S₂. Supply voltage U_(v) is applied to electrical component 51. When second coil L₂, R₂ is switched off, switch voltage U_(S2) decreases at switch S₂.

In addition, electrical component 51 has a quenching circuit 53 made up of inductor L₁ of the first coil, resistor R₁ of the first coil, and a closing resistor R_(K). Consequently, when second coil L₂, R₂ is switched off with the aid of switch S₂, first coil L₁, R₂ is short-circuited via quenching circuit 53 to quench the inductive load of second coil L₂, R₂.

Electrical component 61, which is illustrated in FIG. 6 and has core 62, first coil L₁, R₁ and second coil L₂, R₂, differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 in the form of the quenching circuit and in the provision of a further switch S₁. Quenching circuit 63 of FIG. 6 is configured as a parallel circuit of first coil L₁, R₁ and the closing resistor R_(K) between the further switch S₁ for connecting first coil L₁, R₁, and ground. Consequently, first coil L₁, R₁ may also be used not only as a quenching coil for second coil L₂, R₂, but also as an independent operating coil.

In addition, FIG. 7 shows electrical component 71, in which further operating coil L₁, R₁ functions as a quenching coil via parallel resistor R_(K). In this context, quenching circuit 73 of electrical component 71 of FIG. 7 is made up of R₁, L₁ and R_(K).

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 differs from that of FIG. 7 in that in comparison with electrical component 71, additional inductors L_(1p) and L_(2p) are drawn into electrical component 81. These additional inductors L_(1p) and L_(2p) reflect the inductances occurring in reality, due to leakage fluxes and the existing lines.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic circuit diagram equivalent to the electrical component 51 of the present invention of FIG. 5. In this context, electrical component 91 of FIG. 9 corresponds to electrical component 51 of FIG. 5, a Zener diode D_(av) being depicted as an illustration of the breakdown voltage occurring at switch S₂. The disruptive discharge power is denoted by P_(V).

Furthermore, FIG. 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram for component 101 that is equivalent to the electrical component of the present invention according to FIG. 6. Zener diodes D_(av) and D_(loesch) are drawn in in correspondence with FIG. 9.

In addition, component 101 of FIG. 10 has a free-wheeling diode 104. Furthermore, FIG. 10 shows an equivalent circuit diagram having a parallel quenching circuit 103 for first coil L₁, R₁ and L₂, R₂.

For comparison to this, FIGS. 11 and 12 shows schematic, equivalent circuit diagrams for conventional electrical components 111 and 112, in which during the switching operation, a breakdown voltage P_(v) occurs, in each instance, at the respective Zener diode D_(av).

FIGS. 13-16 show schematic circuit diagrams equivalent to FIGS. 9-12, the schematic circuit diagrams having inductors L_(1p) and L_(2p) additionally drawn in, the inductors reflecting, in particular, the line inductances actually present. In this context, FIGS. 13-16 show the option of shifting the above-described quenching condition due to the parasitically occurring inductances L_(1p), L_(2p).

FIG. 17 illustrates a measurement example for comparing the equivalent circuit diagrams of the component of FIG. 10 according to the present invention to the conventional component of FIG. 12. In detail, FIG. 17 shows a measurement example of a starter relay having separately controlled coils of a double coil. Current, voltage and power loss in the free-wheeling circuit with and without a quenching coil are plotted at the top (region of FIG. 10) and at the bottom (region of FIG. 12). The quenching power of free-wheeling diode 104 and 124 (see FIGS. 10 and 12) is only low with a quenching coil. Consequently, the efficiency of quenching coil R₂, L₂ is shown. Without free-wheeling, breakdown voltage V_(av) would be higher, and it could be completely quenched via quenching coil L₁, R₂.

For FIG. 17, the values are selected as follows: U_(v)=1.5 V, R₁=1.4Ω, n₁=110, R₂=2.8Ω, n₂=150, R_(K)=0, U_(d)=0.7 V.

A corresponding simulation example having an additional Zener diode is illustrated in FIG. 18. In this manner, the closing resistance or short-circuit resistance R_(K) may still be increased.

In addition, FIG. 19 shows a simulation example for the disruptive discharge power with the quenching coil according to FIG. 10, and without the quenching coil according to FIG. 12. The dashed line illustrated with reference to FIG. 12 shows that an arc voltage or an avalanche voltage occurs without a quenching circuit. In addition, FIG. 19 shows that the higher the breakdown voltage V_(av), the greater the effect of the quenching circuit, since due to the higher breakdown voltage V_(av), the quenching coil in FIG. 10, with reference to FIG. 19, functions highly effectively without a free-wheeling circuit. Only parasitic inductances having a low level of energy have to be quenched at switch S₂.

For FIG. 19, the values are selected as follows: U_(v)=1.5 V, R₁=1.4Ω, n₁=110, R₂=2.8Ω, n₂=150, R_(K)=1Ω, U_(av)=50 V.

FIG. 20 shows a simulation example for the breakdown voltage at the limit of the quenching condition. In this context FIG. 20 shows that the decay time constant τ=L₁/(R_(k+r1)) may be reduced by the higher breakdown voltage. In this context, the limiting case for the quenching mainly by the quenching coil is illustrated here.

For FIG. 20, the values are selected as follows: U_(v)=1.5 V, R₁=1.4Ω, n₁=110, R₂=2.8Ω, n₂=150, R_(K)=10Ω, U_(av)=50 V.

In addition, FIG. 21 shows a simulation example for the disruptive discharge power in the case of a greater supply voltage V_(v). In this context, FIG. 21 shows, in particular, that decay time constant τ must be increased with increasing supply voltage V_(v). Then, quenching is provided completely by the quenching coil.

For FIG. 21, the values are selected as follows: U_(v)=12.5 V, R₁=1.4Ω, n₁=110, R₂=2.8Ω, n₂=150, R_(K)=1Ω, U_(av)=50 V.

Furthermore, FIG. 22 shows a simulation example for the quenching limit at a greater supply voltage. In this limiting case, quenching is carried out chiefly by the quenching coil.

For FIG. 22, the values are selected as follows: U_(v)=12.5 V, R₁=1.4Ω, n₁=110, R₂=2.8Ω, n₂=150, R_(K)=5Ω, U_(av)=50 V. This yields an arithmetic value of R_(K)<4.76Ω.

FIG. 23 shows a simulation example of the exceeded quenching limit. In this context, FIG. 23 shows, in detail, that when closing resistance R_(K) is further increased in the quenching circuit without further decreasing the decay time constant, the quenching effect is reduced. In other words, in the case of a closing resistance R_(K) that is too large, time constant τ may be selected to be too small, which means that a disruptive discharge may occur at switch S₂.

For FIG. 23, the values are selected as follows: U_(v)=12.5 V, R₁=1.4Ω, n₁=110, R₂=2.8Ω, n₂=150, R_(K)=10Ω, U_(av)=50 V.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the example method of the present invention for controlling an electrical component 51. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 24 has the method steps 241 and 242 and is explained with reference to FIG. 5:

Method Step 241:

An electrical component 51 is provided, which has a core 52, a first coil L₁, R₁, a second coil L₂, R₂ and a switch S₂ for switching second coil L₂, R₂ on and off.

Method Step 242:

When second coil L₂, R₂ is switched off, first coil L₁, R₁ is short-circuited via a quenching circuit 53 to quench the inductive load of second coil L₂, R₂. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical component, comprising: a core; a first coil positioned around the core; a switch; and a second coil positioned around the core and switchable with the aid of the switch, wherein when the second coil is switched off, the first coil is short-circuited via a quenching circuit to quench an inductive load of the second coil, wherein the quenching circuit is configured as a shorted circuit made up of a loop circuit of a closing resistor and the first coil having a coil resistance, the loop circuit being connected to ground.
 2. The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the second coil is configured as an operating coil of the component, and the first coil is configured as a quenching coil for quenching the inductive load of the operating coil.
 3. The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the quenching circuit is configured as a shorted circuit made up of a series circuit of the closing resistor and the first coil, the first coil having a particular number of windings, a particular inductance and a particular coil resistance.
 4. The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the first coil is positioned on the core as a reactive coil formed separately from the second coil.
 5. The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the quenching circuit is configured as a parallel circuit of the first coil and the closing resistor, wherein the closing resistor is located between ground and a further switch for switching the first coil.
 6. The component as recited in claim 5, wherein the further switch is set up to switch on the first coil in response to the second coil being switched off with the aid of the switch.
 7. The component as recited in claim 5, wherein the first coil functions as an operating coil in response to being switched on with the aid of the further switch.
 8. The component as recited in claim 1, wherein ratios of resistances to numbers of windings of the first and second coils are set as a function of a supply voltage applied to the component and of a breakdown voltage of the switch, so that the breakdown voltage is less than a differential voltage between the supply voltage and a switch voltage decreasing during the switching operation at the switch.
 9. The component as recited in claim 8, wherein the ratio satisfies the condition: (R _(K) +R ₁)*n ₂ /n ₁>(U _(av) −U _(v))/I ₂, where R₁ designates the resistance of the first coil, n₁ is the number of windings of the first coil, n₂ is the number of windings of the second coil, R_(K) is a closing resistance of the quenching circuit, U_(v) designates the supply voltage, U_(av) is the breakdown voltage of the switch and I₂ is current flowing through a resistor of the second coil.
 10. The component as recited in claim 9, wherein the component is one of an electromagnetic switching and engaging relay, or a transformer.
 11. The component as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch is a field effect transistor.
 12. A starter for a motor vehicle, comprising: an electrical component including a core, a first coil positioned around the core, a switch, and a second coil positioned around the core and is switchable with the aid of the switch, wherein when the second coil is switched off, the first coil is short-circuited via a quenching circuit to quench an inductive load of the second coil, wherein the quenching circuit is configured as a shorted circuit made up of a loop circuit of the first coil and a closing resistor, the loop circuit being connected to ground.
 13. A method for controlling an electrical component having a core, a first coil positioned around the core, a second coil positioned around the core, and a switch for switching the second coil, the method comprising: short-circuiting the first coil via a quenching circuit to quench an inductive load of the second coil when the second coil is switched off, wherein the quenching circuit is configured as a shorted circuit made up of a loop circuit of the first coil and a closing resistor, the loop circuit being connected to ground. 